Financial Aid / Scholarships

Types of Financial Aid

Lakeland offers many types of financial aid assistance, including federal and state grants, federal work-study employment, federal student loans (Direct Loans) and scholarships. Most students receive a combination of these, which is known as a financial aid offer.

For consideration for all types of financial aid at Lakeland, you must first complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online. Completing and submitting the FAFSA is free and quick, and it gives you access to the largest sources of financial aid to pay for college through federal, state and school sources.

• Federal Programs
  • Federal Grants
  • Federal Work-Study Program (FWS)
  • Federal Direct Loan Programs
• Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE) Programs
• Scholarships/Grants
• Debt Forgiveness Programs
• Military Benefits
• Other Loan Programs

A federal grant is financial aid that does not require repayment and is often need-based. Two of the most common federal grants include the Pell Grant and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant.

• Eligibility is based upon the Student Aid Index (SAI) determined by completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), enrollment status (enrollment intensity) and cost of attendance (budget).
• Does not require repayment, except under certain circumstances (i.e. Return of Title IV Federal Funds calculations).
• For undergraduates who have not earned bachelor's or professional degrees.
• Pell Lifetime Eligibility Usage (LEU) restricts the total amount of Pell a student can receive to no more than six full-time years or 12 full-time semesters (maximum percentage of 600 percent).
• Maximum Pell awards are determined annually by the US Department of Education.
• Visit studentaid.gov/pell-grant for more information.

• Eligibility is based upon the Student Aid Index (SAI) determined by completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the date the FAFSA was processed (date of application).
• Amounts are determined using eligibility as stated above and availability of funds.
• Does not require repayment, except under certain circumstances (i.e. Return of Title IV Federal Funds calculations).
• Requires half-time enrollment status (6 or more credit hours).
• Visit studentaid.gov/fseog for more information.

For more information on grants, watch the video playlist below.

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Federal Work-Study is a federal student aid program that provides part-time employment for students while enrolled in school to help pay for educational expenses. Students must submit a Federal Work-Study Request Form, which is located under "Year Specific Forms/Worksheets" on the Financial Aid Forms page, to Lakeland's Student Service Center.

• Unlike other forms of income, earnings from a Federal Work-Study job do not affect financial aid eligibility for the upcoming academic year.
• Federal Work-Study could reduce the amount of money students need to borrow.
• Students may gain experience in their field of study.
• Students work on campus and can schedule work hours around their class schedule.

• Students may work up to 25 hours per week on campus while classes are in session and up to 40 hours per week during scheduled college breaks and summer term.
• Students must be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours during each semester they are working. If students are not enrolled in summer, students must be registered in at least 6 credit hours in the upcoming fall semester to be eligible to participate in Federal Work-Study.
• Students must be making Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) to participate in Federal Work-Study.
• If students are awarded Federal Work-Study, it may reduce the amount of loan funds for which students are eligible.
• To determine what student employment jobs are available on campus, visit the Lakeland Human Resources portal (myLakeland login credentials required).
• Visit studentaid.gov/workstudy for more information.

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A Direct Loan is a federal loan, made through the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program, for which eligible students and parents borrow directly from the U.S. Department of Education at participating schools. Direct Subsidized Loan, Direct Unsubsidized Loan and Direct PLUS Loans are types of Direct Loans.

• A Direct Loan offers freshman students up to $5,500 and sophomores up to $6,500 per year.
• This is a loan and must be repaid.
• Interest rates vary annually.
• If you already have a Direct Loan, borrowing a new loan will not affect the rate or terms of your previous loan(s).
• You may qualify for a Subsidized and/or Unsubsidized Direct Loan up to the amounts listed above.
• Repayment is deferred while you are enrolled in college at least half-time (6 or more credit hours) as well as for a six-month grace period after your enrollment has ended.
• If you are borrowing student loans for the first time, you will need to complete Entrance Counseling and a Master Promissory Note (MPN). These can be completed online. Loan funds will not be disbursed until these two requirements are met.
• Exit Counseling is required if you withdraw, graduate, transfer to another college or drop below half-time attendance anytime during your enrollment period. Exit counseling is completed online at studentaid.gov.
• For additional information, review the Direct Loan Brochure (PDF).

*Important information and updates for Federal Loan Borrowers.

• For undergraduates who have financial need, so some students may not qualify.
• A student must be enrolled at least half-time (6 or more credit hours).
• No interest accumulates while you are enrolled at least half-time (6 or more credit hours) or during your grace period.
• Students can be offered, per year, up to:
  • Freshman: $3,500
  • Sophomore: $4,500
• Visit studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/loans/subsidized-unsubsidized for more information.

• Not based on financial need.
• A student must be enrolled at least half-time (6 or more credit hours).
• Interest begins accruing when the loan is disbursed.
  • You may elect to pay the interest while in school and during your grace period to avoid capitalization.
  • If interest is not paid during these periods, it will be capitalized when you enter repayment, which means it will be added to your principal balance.
• Offer amount varies based on dependency status, cost of attendance and other aid you have been offered.
• Visit studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/loans/subsidized-unsubsidized for more information.

• For parents of dependent undergraduate students.
• Not based on financial need.
• A student must be enrolled at least half-time (6 or more credit hours).
• The borrower must not have an adverse credit history as this loan is subject to credit approval.
• Parent can borrow up to the cost of college education, less other aid the student received.
• Variable rate of interest (currently not to exceed 9 percent).
• Repayment begins 60 days after final disbursement of funds.
• It is recommended you utilize all eligibility for grants and Direct Loans before receiving a Direct PLUS Loan.
• Parent must apply for the loan through studentaid.gov and complete a PLUS Loan Authorization Form (PDF) through Lakeland's website or at Lakeland's Student Service Center on campus in Room A-1003.
• Visit studentaid.gov/plus-app for more information.

For more information on federal loans, watch the video playlist below.

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Thanks to the Ohio Department of Higher Education, Lakeland has several resources available to assist students in returning to college and making progress towards their academic goals.

The Choose Ohio First Scholarship is designed to significantly strengthen Ohio's competitiveness within STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) disciplines and STEM education. Eligibility criteria includes students who are new to one of the designated STEM degrees or certificates; current Lakeland students must have a minimum 3.0 to be considered.

These scholarships are available to Lakeland students in both health care and information technology and computer science (IT&CS) programs. The Choose Ohio First application information for these programs can be found here.

The Ohio Work Ready Grant provides funding up to $3,000 per academic year to Ohio residents who demonstrate the highest levels of financial need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Eligible students must be enrolled in a qualified program* at an Ohio community college, an Ohio technical center, or a state university branch campus that will lead to a credential, certificate or degree that is aligned with Ohio's in-demand and critical jobs.

View OWRG qualified programs at Lakeland.

Learn more about OWRG program and eligibility.

The Second Chance Grant is designed to reduce financial barriers preventing Ohioans with some college credit but no bachelor's degree from returning to complete their degrees.

Learn more about the Second Chance Grant here.

The ODHE has awarded Lakeland Community College funds under the Short-term Certificate Grant Program to provide grants to students enrolled in certificate programs to meet the in-demand needs of Ohio based business and industries.

Learn more about this program here.

The Ohio War Orphan & Severely Disabled Veterans' Children Scholarship (WOS) program provides financial assistance to the children of veterans killed in combat or severely disabled Ohio veterans who served in the armed forces during a period of declared war or conflict.

Learn more about this program here.

The Nurse Education Assistance Loan Program (NEALP) provides financial assistance to Ohio students enrolled for at least half-time study (or accepted for enrollment) in an approved Ohio nurse education program. NEALP provides funding for nurses who intend to serve as instructors or students who intend to serve as nurses after graduation.

Learn more about this program here.

The Ohio College Opportunity Grant (OCOG) program provides financial assistance to Ohio residents with demonstrated financial need as determined by the results of your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Learn more about this program here.

The Ohio Safety Officers College Memorial Fund provides financial assistance to a child, spouse, or qualified former spouse of peace officers, fire fighters and certain other safety officers who are killed in the line of duty anywhere in the United States. It also provides financial assistance to the children and spouses of a member of the armed services of the U.S. who has been killed in the line of duty during Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, or a combat zone designated by the President of the United States.

Learn more about this program here.

*Learn more about additional Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE) Programs here.

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Scholarships are financial aid funds that are gifts and do not need to be repaid. Scholarships are provided to students by the college, The Lakeland Foundation or outside contributors based on criteria determined by the donor. Some scholarships are based on academic achievement, a special talent, trait or interest and others are based on financial need.

The majority of Lakeland's scholarships require completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). It is strongly encouraged that in addition to the scholarship application, the FAFSA should be completed at studentaid.gov/fafsa for you to be considered for all Lakeland scholarships, federal and state financial aid. In addition to the scholarship application, international students must also submit an International Student Supplemental Scholarship Form (myLakeland login credentials required).

The Lakeland Foundation Scholarship application and listing of all available scholarships can be found on myLakeland. View the scholarship list here.

To apply for The Lakeland Foundation Scholarships:

1. Log in to myLakeland.
2. Click the Student tab.
3. In the left-hand column under myRECORDS, click on Scholarship Center.
4. Click on Scholarship Application to access the online scholarship form.
5. Select academic year.
6. Complete the questions presented on the form then click Submit Application.
7. Applications will be reviewed prior to the start of the academic year.
8. You will be notified via your Lakeland email if you have been awarded a scholarship.
9. For additional information, review the Scholarship Center Application Process Brochure (PDF).

Thanks to a very generous grant from the KeyBank Foundation as well as ongoing support from The Lakeland Foundation, Lakeland is pleased to offer the Begin the Conversation program. The Begin the Conversation program initiative is designed to promote a successful higher education experience at Lakeland for new students from low-income, first generation and minority populations by providing tuition and books, wraparound support, mentoring, and job training at no financial cost to the students.

Participants are required to:

• Meet with a New Student Experience staff member monthly (at the least) for wraparound support and mentoring 
• Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), or the equivalent for international/undocumented students, and the Lakeland Foundation Scholarship Application each academic year
• Maintain a minimum cumulative 2.0 GPA

Priority for this grant will be given to low income, minority, first-generation college students.

The Begin the Conversation Program has been filled for 2024-2025.

Lakeland encourages students to pursue outside scholarships as a way to help pay for college expenses. A list of some outside scholarships can be found here, including requirements and contact information.

To apply for outside scholarships, read and follow the instructions listed for each individual scholarship. Applying for these scholarships will not take place in myLakeland and must be completed on an individual basis.

In addition, these free scholarship search sites below offer information about other outside scholarship opportunities:

• BigFuture Grants and Scholarships
• CareerOneStop
• Fastweb
• Peterson's
• SallieMae College Planning
• Scholarships
• Scholarship Hunter
• Student Scholarship Search
• SuperCollege
• The Educational Network

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Lakeland recognizes that prior balances may present a challenge to return and meet educational goals. If you are a former student who owes a balance to Lakeland Community College or to one of the other seven participating institutions, you may be eligible for assistance in returning to school.

Learn more about College Comeback Programs here.

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Lakeland is privileged to honor the service and sacrifice of our veterans and we are fully accredited under the laws that provide educational benefits for veterans. Lakeland's Veterans Benefits Certifying Specialist will assist with applying for VA educational benefits. The certifying specialist will certify enrollment and assist new and continuing student veterans with the processing of VA forms for educational benefits. For assistance, contact the Veterans Benefits Certifying Specialist.

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The Charles E. Schell Foundation, Fifth Third Bank Trustee student loan was established to aid students in securing an education that may otherwise be unattainable. The loans are interest-free and without security.

Qualifications of student candidates for the loan are:

• Citizens of Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia or adjoining states, with parents of moderate means who are citizens of such states
• Between the ages of 18 and 25
• Loyal to the United States and its institutions, including the Armed Forces
• Honest, upright, intelligent and of practical appearance
• Maintaining a minimum 2.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale

Charles E. Schell Foundation Student Loan application

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